The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1887-02-10
NO. 46
Married by Proxy.

A dispatch from Chicago, dated the LIST,
says: The announcement is made this
evening that August Spies and Miss Nina
Van Zandt had been married by proxy, the
groom being represented by his brother.
A suburban Justice of the Peace officiate0.
When Sheriff Matson about two weeks ago
issued the order to the officials of the
County Jail not to admit Miss Van Zandt
to see Spies. it was thought that the mat
ter was settled, but it now appears that
neither of the couple abandoned their pur-
pose. The law about marrying by letter
and marriages by proxy was looked up, but
nothing was found except in regard to a
marriage by proxy, This was finally de-
| cided upon, and Justice Englehardt, in the
town of Jefferson, whose name figured in
papers during the last months of the past
year as denouncing the verdict of the An
archist trial in public speeches, was con-
suited. lie gave it as his opinion that a
marriage by proxy would be binding In
law, it the proxy WAS made out in due legal
form. He was commissioned to draw up
form of proxy. and spent considerable
time in making it conform to what he
thought was the law in the case. The doc
ument was not gotten ready until last Fri
day. Early Saturday Miss Van Zandt and
Gretchen Spies, the sister of August, went
oat to jefferson and called on Justice En-
glehardt to get the proxy, and having
secured the document, went direct to the
County Jail with it. They met the wife
of Spies brother Ferdinand and Mrs.
WendlaHd. Miss Van Zandt's three COM
panions witnessed the signature of Spies
to the document, by which he gave full
authority to his brother, Henry w. Spies,
to represent him at the ceremony.
Mrs Ferdinand Spies and Miss Gretchen
Spies signed the paper to witness August
Spies signature. Then the whole party,
except Spies himself, went with Ferdinand
Spies to Justice Englehardt's office on
Milwaukee avenue, in the town OF Jeffer-
son. They were reinforced on the way by
Miss Van Zandt's parents and Henry
and Chris Spies, brothers of Au-
gust. The journey to Justice Engle-
hardt's office was made on foot. 1t was
after O'Clock Saturday night by this
time. The justice again examined his
law books, and then the ceremony was per-
formed. Henry Spies answered to the
name of August Vincent Theodore Spies,
and under this name was married to Miss
Van Zandt. The bride and her parents
went from the office of the Justice TO the
home of Mr.. and Mrs. Ferdinand Spies,
not far distant, and remained there over
night.
The license has not yet been returned to
the County Clerk as required by law. 1t was
issued only three weeks ago, however. ard
the thirty days allowed for its retarn>ha,e
not yet expired. Justice Englehardt is
authority for the statement that the mar
rage was performed.
Spies declines to speak Of the ceremol v,
and Miss Van Zandt refuses to be inter
viewed or even to be seen. Her father
also declines to talk but does not deny tho
fact of the ceremony. Sheriff Matson ex-
pressed great surprise, and then promptly
said II would not consider farce like
that a marriage unless pronounced SO by
competent legal authority. The alleged
ceremony willno in my judgment. change
the relations of the parties. If this ac-
ton was taken for the purpose of compel
ling me to consent to the visits of Miss
Van ZaDdt TO the Jail, it is mistaker
course, and will not avail. There is !
obligation, even she was his lawful wifi
to let her visit Spies, who is my prisoner
Allowing wives to visit there imprisoned
husbands is merely a matter OF courtesy"
Opinions from leading attorneys as to
the legality of marriage by proxy vary
somewhat. Nearly all of the lawyers in
the city are of the belief that it is illegal.
Leonard SWEET, senior counsel for Spies
and his fellow Anarchists, is decidedly of
that opinion. Mr.. Zeisler, another of the
Anarchists counsel, takes the opposite
view, and thinks the ceremony binding.